Daring Greatly: How The Courage To Be Vulnerable Transforms The Way We Live, Love, Parent, And Lead

Hardcover | September 11, 2012

Researcher and thought leader Dr. Brené Brown offers a powerful new vision that encourages us to dare greatly: to embrace vulnerability and imperfection, to live wholeheartedly, and to courageously engage in our lives.

“It is not the critic who counts; not the man who points out how the strong man stumbles, or where the doer of deeds could have done them better. The credit belongs to the man who is actually in the arena, whose face is marred by dust and sweat and blood; who strives valiantly; . . . who at best knows in the end the triumph of high achievement, and who at worst, if he fails, at least fails while daring greatly.” —Theodore Roosevelt

Every day we experience the uncertainty, risks, and emotional exposure that define what it means to be vulnerable, or to dare greatly. Whether the arena is a new relationship, an important meeting, our creative process, or a difficult family conversation, we must find the courage to walk into vulnerability and engage with our whole hearts.

In Daring Greatly, Dr. Brown challenges everything we think we know about vulnerability. Based on twelve years of research, she argues that vulnerability is not weakness, but rather our clearest path to courage, engagement, and meaningful connection. The book that Dr. Brown’s many fans have been waiting for, Daring Greatly will spark a new spirit of truth—and trust—in our organizations, families, schools, and communities.

Pricing and Purchase Info

Researcher and thought leader Dr. Brené Brown offers a powerful new vision that encourages us to dare greatly: to embrace vulnerability and imperfection, to live wholeheartedly, and to courageously engage in our lives. “It is not the critic who counts; not the man who points out how the strong man stumbles, or where the doer of deeds ...

Brené Brown, Ph.D., LMSW, is a research professor at the University of Houston Graduate College of Social Work. An award-winning teacher and speaker, she is also the author of The Gifts of Imperfection and I Thought It Was Just Me (But It Isn’t). Her groundbreaking work has been featured widely in the media, including a PBS special.

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Reviews

Rated 5 out of
5 by
Alexandra Craft from
Daring greatlyA really easy to absorb guide to figuring out how to be brave. I will read it again and use it as a reference when practicing wholeheartedness. I love how Brenw Brown seems just like me...a mom just trying to figure out how to raise her family while preserving her marriage and feeling likw she isn't losing herself in the process. Loved this book!

Date published: 2015-06-11

Rated 3 out of
5 by
dianed from
Daring greatlyJust couldn't get interested in this book but will try again. I know it is a self help book but was expecting it to read faster.

Date published: 2014-08-19

Rated 5 out of
5 by
Ali from
Must read !!Awesome book ... Making me understands about who we really are in the world that pushes us the value of never enough...

Date published: 2014-06-20

Rated 5 out of
5 by
Jenn K from
Must read !!Excellent book - I bought this book after I saw her on Oprah…. Brene truly encourages vulnerability as a way of life - she teaches us that life really lives where there is an open & brave heart. I would recommend this book for all ages - this book is for anyone who dares to live their dream and live more wholeheartedly. She teaches us to embrace us imperfections in a beautiful way.

Date published: 2014-06-01

Rated 5 out of
5 by
aliciae from
Must read !!I thought this book was excellent. i am reading it a second time to fully understand all the new concepts. It was also very interesting to look at from a students point of view. I am in my 2nd year of college for my B.A. is Psychology. i would recommend this book to everyone, so they can really start looking at themselves and evolving into a great being who is fully on the same page with themselves.

Date published: 2014-02-05

Rated 5 out of
5 by
aliciae from
Must read !!This book has empowered me to embrace my vulnerabilities and shame and live a more loving and rewarding life. Almost everyone can relate to it.

Date published: 2014-02-04

Rated 5 out of
5 by
Claire from
Must read !!This is one of the best books I've ever read. So insightful and challenging. I cannot recommend it highly enough

Date published: 2014-01-30

Rated 5 out of
5 by
Claire from
Must read !!I'm not much for "self help" books but this is a fantastic book. Saw her ted talk then read the book. Really gives you a different perspective on life and how to be happier.

Date published: 2014-01-28

Rated 5 out of
5 by
Claire from
Must read !!This book was a total paradigm shift for. I have bought copies for my mom and sister. Dr. Brown combines substantive research, humour, and practical advice into a wonderful book that I would recommend to both men and women.

Date published: 2014-01-23

Rated 4 out of
5 by
rebecca m from
Must read !!Brene Brown shares raw insights into her personal life and research to help readers understand the importance of embracing 'vulnerability' and 'wholehearted' living. For anyone trying to break free of a stale existence, trapped by the fear of the unknown, this book will provide a way to transform the way you live life. More scientifically rigorous and less 'activity based' than your regular self-help book, this is great for people ready to contemplate a different way of living that will ultimately bring joy.

Date published: 2014-01-22

Rated 5 out of
5 by
Shanna from
Must read !!Dear Madison: Together we will cry and face fear and grief. I will want to take away your pain, but instead I will sit with you and teach you how to feel it. The research outlined in Dr. Brown's book offered the greatest insight I have seen regarding vulnerability, guilt, and shame. I plan to put what I've learned into practice, especially in my parenting.

Date published: 2014-01-20

Rated 5 out of
5 by
Sherine from
Being vulnerableReading this book was an emotional, mental and spiritual workout...it was worth it!

Date published: 2013-11-05

Rated 5 out of
5 by
Rylan from
Life Changing!Dr. Brown's message about vulnerability and shame hit home with me in a very profound way and at a very critical time in my life. By Daring Greatly, I not only changed the trajectory of my life, I saved it! I recommend this book to everyone. Include it in your reading list. I'm sure I am not the only one who will get a big "ah ha!"out of it!

Date published: 2013-10-21

Rated 5 out of
5 by
ibelieveinmiracles from
Life Changing!I'm loving this book and recommending it to anyone who will listen. Everyone should learn to dare greatly and live a more fulfilling life.

Date published: 2013-09-28

Rated 4 out of
5 by
Geoff from
Daring GreatlyI'm not generally one to read "self help" books, but Brown's is a powerful vision of the life worth living.

Date published: 2013-08-31

Rated 5 out of
5 by
Agca from
Wonderful!I read it in a heartbeat. Looking forward for the next book. right on, dude :)

Date published: 2013-08-21

Rated 4 out of
5 by
Laura from
Yes, yes and yesSometimes the hardest thing in life is to just show upnand be present. Great read about engaging and connecting with life (people). Fulfilling like a great meal :)

“The brilliantly insightful Brené Brown draws upon extensive research and personal experience to explore the paradoxes of courage: we become strong by embracing vulnerability, we dare more greatly when we acknowledge our fear. I can’t stop thinking about this book.”—Gretchen Rubin, author of The Happiness Project"A wonderful book: urgent, essential and fun to read. I couldn't put it down, and it continues to resonate with me."—Seth Godin, author of Linchpin"In an age of constant pressure to conform and pretend, Daring Greatly offers a compelling alternative: transform your life by being who you really are. Embrace the courage to be vulnerable. Dare to read this book!"—Chris Guillebeau, author of The $100 Startup"Here's the essence of this book: Vulnerability is courage in you but inadequacy in me. Brené's book, weaving together research and Texan anecdote, shows you some paths forward. And don't for a moment think this is just for women. Men carry the burden of Being Strong And Never Weak, and we pay a heavy price for it. Daring Greatly can help us all."—Michael Bungay Stanier, author of Do More Great Work"I deeply trust Brené Brown--her research, her intelligence, her integrity, and her personhood. So when she definitively lands on the one most important value we can cultivate for professional success, relationship health, parental joy, and courageous, passionate living...well, I sit up and take notice . . . even when that one most critical value turns out to be the risky act of being vulnerable. She dared greatly to write this book, and you will benefit greatly to read it and to put its razor-sharp wisdom into action in your own life and work."—Elizabeth Lesser, Cofounder, Omega Institute, author of Broken Open"In Daring Greatly, Brené Brown refers to herself as both a mapmaker and a traveler. In my book, that makes her a guide. And I believe the world needs more guides like her who are showing us a wiser way to our inner world. If you'd like to set your course on being more courageous and connected, engaged and resilient, leave the GPS at home. Daring Greatly is all the navigation you'll need."—Maria Shriver"Daring Greatly is an important book -- a timely warning about the danger of pursuing certainty and control above all. Brené Brown offers all of us a valuable guide to the real reward of vulnerability: Greater courage."—Daniel Pink"What I find remarkable about this book is the unique combination of solid research and kitchen table story-telling. Brené becomes such a real person in the book that you can actually hear her voice asking, "Have you dared greatly today?" The invitation in this book is clear: We must be larger than anxiety, fear, and shame if we want to speak, act, and show up. The world needs this book and Brené’s unique blend of warmth, humor and ass-kicking makes her the perfect person to inspire us to dare greatly." —Harriet Lerner, Ph.D."One of the tragic ironies of modern life is that so many people feel isolated from each other by the very feelings they have in common: including a fear of failure and a sense of not being enough. Brené Brown shines a bright light into these dark recesses of human emotion and reveals how these feelings can gnaw at fulfillment in education, at work and in the home. She shows too how they can be transformed to help us live more wholehearted lives of courage, engagement and purpose. Brené Brown writes as she speaks, with wisdom, wit, candor and a deep sense of humanity. If you're a student, teacher, parent, employer, employee or just alive and wanting to live more fully, you should read this book. I double dare you."—Sir Ken Robinson"A straightforward approach to revamping one's life from an expert on vulnerability."—Kirkus"Will draw readers in and have them considering what steps they would dare to take if shame and fear were not present." --Publishers Weekly"Offers good insights into how people don personal armor to shield themselves from vulnerability." --The Wall Street Journal